Rédaction Africa Links 24 with babucarr balajo
Published on 2024-04-17 09:38:55
The Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA) in The Gambia recently began a 5-day training program for 15 fishery inspectors. The training is focused on educating the inspectors on the requirements set by the European Union for placing fishery products on the EU market. It also aims to enhance the development and application of tools for official control along the fishery products supply chain.
The training, taking place at the Metzy Hotel, is crucial for improving The Gambia’s access to the EU market and other international markets for its fishery products. The government of The Gambia, through the Food Safety and Quality Authority, secured a Sustained Training Mission from the European Union to enhance the safety and quality standards of Gambian fishery products exported to the EU.
During the training, Momodou Bah, the Director General of Food Safety and Quality Authority, emphasized the importance of focusing on safety aspects in addition to trade potentials in the fishing industry. He highlighted the high levels of contamination and toxicity in fish, which can pose risks to both national and consumer health. The training aims to educate the participants on these risks and how to address them effectively.
Bah also stressed the need to protect endangered species and ensure the sustainable use of feedstocks in the fishing industry. He emphasized the role of stakeholders, both in the private and public sectors, in applying regulations and quality procedures to maintain safety and quality standards in the industry.
The training is not only about accessing markets but also about maintaining and sustaining market access with the EU. Patrice Farrell, a food safety consultant involved in the training, mentioned the importance of understanding European Union controls required in the fishery sector. The goal is to help The Gambia export efficient products to the EU by providing the necessary knowledge and tools.
Momodou Njie, a fisheries and food expert participating in the training, highlighted the strict control requirements for fishery products in the EU. He urged participants to pay close attention to these requirements to ensure successful exports. Njie also emphasized the importance of learning from the training to avoid rejections of products that do not meet EU standards.
Famara Darboe, an aquaculture specialist at FAO, emphasized the training’s significance in generating foreign exchange through quality fishery products. He stressed the importance of maintaining quality standards not only for European markets but also for local markets. Darboe called on participants to take the training seriously and become ambassadors for The Gambia in maintaining the country’s reputation in international markets.
Overall, the training program aims to equip fishery inspectors with the knowledge and skills needed to meet EU requirements and ensure the safety and quality of Gambian fishery products in international markets. By enhancing technical capacity and competence, The Gambia aims to sustain and improve its market access in the EU and beyond.
Read the original article on The Standard
